Removing is a radical act.
The radical act of removal is a mediation on loss from several gains.
The radical act of removing (often perceived as a destructive process) can also be a profound act of creation. By subtracting, we reveal (and in this revelation lies a unique form of gain) how a somehow paradoxical act – a dance between loss and renewal – can become a mechanism for construction.
When an architect removes a wall, they not only create a new spatial configuration but also expose the underlying structure, the bones of the building. As a poor example, this revelation can be both beautiful and haunting, acting as a reminder of the impermanence of all things from the acknowledgement of the inherent transience of built spaces. We can go further and say that in some cases we go beyond meaning and purpose, and the act of subtraction becomes a tendency to addition.
Addition can be related to the concept of material extraction, but for the purpose of this topic, we will rely only on immaterial conditions that shape the definition of loss.
The act of subtraction is a form of cultural and historical critique representing the loss of the affinity to things and their purpose. It relies on a process where we are first dismantling oppressive “monuments” and erasing outdated “symbols” while at the same time challenging dominant narratives. The act of subtraction transforms an action in an attitude, into an ideological representation of something else, preferably different, in the almost irrational quest for improvement.
It is also from loss that we make space available for new stories to emerge. This is not a simplistic process of erasure, but is not surely done without admiring loss. It is from this intellectual dynamic that material and immaterial concerns arise as significance autonomy is present for the individual to consider.
The act of removal does not sever ties with the past by relying on reparation and integration, yet, it can also be a necessary step towards a more just and equitable future from the addition of more advanced systems of thought.
Drawing loss is a complex and multifaceted practice that demands careful pedagogical positions. By understanding the potential for both loss and gain, not only architects can use this powerful framework to enhance the opportunities for humans to thrive.
As is (and as we already know), it doesn’t work anymore.